| General Motors Offers X-Large Wheels
Have you been to an aftermarket or urban car show lately? Maybe the big SEMA convention in Las Vegas? Or perhaps you don't have to attend an exhibition to witness the plethora of over-sized rims rolling though our busy streets. It's a billion dollar business and everyone who participates is sure to cash in. General Motors didn't want to pass up that opportunity either. So they formed the GM Accessories Business Channel to keep aftermarket sales in-house. According to Chris Horn, SEMA vice president of communications, "Styling and design initially attract consumers to automotive showrooms. And many people change the fashion of their vehicles after the purchase, just as they fashion their appearance and wardrobe."
While GM is entering this segment pretty late there is still room for market share. And though rim sizes can soar to as large as twenty-eights, GM is offering aluminum twenty inch diameter wheels. Currently, they are available on the extended GMC and Chevy pick-ups. The SUV's are next in line to get spinning on 20's. The positive note is that GM has done their research to make sure the wheels are certified. Meaning, the rims will work in conjunction with TPM (Tire Pressure Monitoring) systems, ABS, ESP (Electric Stability Programs) and your warranty will still be intact. See, most customers do not know the negative impact from swapping out wheels. When original equipment is replaced warranties are sometimes voided and the performance of the vehicle is variably reduced. The reason is that the majority of secondary wheel outfitters are not specialized in the engineering of a particular vehicle model. So unless it's just for show, make sure to research your new wheel equipment judiciously!
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